Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: Open source, networked sensors for lead monitoring
EPA Grant Number: SU840415Title: Open source, networked sensors for lead monitoring
Investigators: Pennock, William , Basuray, Sagnik , Warholak, Michael , Kutzing, Sandra , Ahmad, Afaq , Pennock, Andrew , Rios, Lara , Brzostek, Michael , Burns, Mark , Pong, Philip , Talebi, Maryam , Shah, Eishah , Marmol, Valerie
Institution: New Jersey Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Harper, Jacquelyn
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through April 24, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2023 through June 30,2024
Project Amount: $24,982
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Urban Air Toxics , Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil/Water , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
One objective of the Phase I project is to correlate patterns in the sensor data with measurements of lead concentration and other physical and chemical parameters to better interpret readings from the sensors. A second objective was to develop low-cost modules for the sensors that could interface physically with premise plumbing and electronically with the sensor and network with computers to provide continuous measurement of lead levels in premise plumbing. The third objective was to develop infrastructure for collecting, processing, and reporting data from the sensor modules. This involved developing a database and a website. The fourth objective was to test the sensor modules in a realistic setting. The resulting data would be used to improve the deliverables from Objectives 1–3 and provide an opportunity to study the dynamics of lead release across a water distribution network.
Progress Summary:
To date, we have the basic hardware and firmware for the sensor module completed as well as a database and scripts to transmit data.
Future Activities:
We intend to develop the hardware into a ready-to-go open-source module in a classroom setting in Spring 2025. We will also test the sensor against standard dissolved and particulate lead concentrations for calibration and development of machine learning algorithms. These will then be applied and refined in tests with the sensor on a recirculating pipe loop.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Environmental justice; urban water planning; drinking water; lead detection; platinum electrode sensor; premise plumbing; lead service line; machine learningRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.